Pique: Messi tops Ronaldo

Barcelona defender GerardPique says Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is the complete footballer but still falls short when compared to Lionel Messi.

The two exceptionally gifted players have shared the last eight Ballon d'Or awards between them, with Messi collecting the award five times and Ronaldo three.

Having played with the Portugal captain at Manchester United from 2004 to 2008, Pique believes they are both phenomenal, but insists Messi is in a class of his own.

"I think that they are both amazing," Pique told BT Sport. "We are talking about two of the best players, not just in the world but the history of this sport.

"I always said that Messi has some talent that no-one has. I mean, he has the ball and his speed controlling the ball. The ball doesn't go two metres far from his foot, it's always there. It's impossible to catch him, this talent I didn't see from anyone.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is such a different player, they are very different. He is tall, strong, he's really complete. He can do anything. He can do goals with the head, free-kicks, penalties, take one on one.

"But for me it's like Messi is not human but Cristiano is the best of the humans."